Sidney Crosby Named NHL ‘Second Star’ for December

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was honored Friday as the NHL’s ‘Second Star’ for December after tying for the NHL lead with 23 points (9G-14A) in 14 games last month.

Crosby, who leads all NHL players with 59 points this season, finished December ranked fourth (tied) in the league with nine goals, including a league-high three game-winning tallies.

Sidney Crosby

Center - PIT

Goals: 22 | Assists: 37 | Pts: 59
Shots: 140 | +/-: +11

Crosby notched at least one point in 13 of his 14 games played in December, which includes a season-high 10-game point streak to begin the month. After being held scoreless on Dec. 23, Crosby picked up points in each of his final three games in December, allowing him to carry another streak into Friday night’s game against the New York Rangers.

With Evgeni Malkin sidelined for a majority of December, Crosby put the Penguins’ offense on his back, factoring into 53% of Pittsburgh’s offensive output (17 of 32 goals) during Malkin’s absences.

Among Crosby’s highlights from December were his sixth career overtime game-winning goal at NY Islanders Dec. 3, a season-high-tying three assists against the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 5 and a late third period game-winner against Toronto on Dec. 16.

This marks the second time this season that Crosby has won a monthly NHL award. He was named ‘Second Star’ for October.